A member of the highest Hindu caste, traditionally priests and teachers. In extended use, an intellectual or cultural elite, especially in New England society.
From Sanskrit ब्राह्मण (brāhmaṇa) meaning 'one who has realized Brahman (the divine)', derived from ब्रह्मन् (brahman) meaning 'prayer', 'sacred knowledge', or 'the absolute'. The word entered English through Hindi ब्राह्मण (brāhmaṇ) during British colonial contact with Indian society. In American English, 'Boston Brahmin' came to mean the established upper-class families of New England, drawing a parallel with the hereditary elite status of Hindu Brahmins.
This word made a fascinating leap from Hindu priests to Boston high society! 'Boston Brahmins' became the term for New England's intellectual aristocracy, showing how a caste designation became a metaphor for any hereditary cultural elite.
Brahmin traditionally referred exclusively to male priestly class in Hindu caste hierarchy; women were categorized separately. Modern usage sometimes overlooks female scholars and spiritual practitioners in Brahminical traditions.
Use brahmin/brahminism when discussing the caste or philosophy; specify brahmin woman/scholar if gender context is relevant. Avoid assuming brahminism is exclusively male.
["brahminical tradition","brahmin scholar (specify gender when relevant)"]
Brahmin women, including scholars and reformers like Pandita Ramabai, made critical contributions to Hindu philosophy and social reform but are often erased from brahminism's intellectual history.
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